Secure Trust Bank’s (STB) original decision (July 2025) to cease new lending in the Vehicle Finance (VF) business has now been turbo-charged via sale of the Consumer VF business at a premium to book value. The transaction will increase STB’s 30 September 2025 proforma CET1 ratio by approximately 195bps to 14.8%, providing options for capital deployment in higher-returning core businesses and in share buybacks (subject to regulatory approval). The sale removes the uncertainty over scale and timing of the previously announced run-off. Although near-term forecasts will be influenced by the speed of VF operating expenses reduction, the sale undoubtedly widens and accelerates STB’s strategic options.